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Chicopee will not seek extra liquor license from the state

chicopee crossing

The Marriott Residence Inn taken while it was under construction in December. The hotel is part of the Chicopee Crossing project which is now planning to add a Buffalo Wild Wings.
(Republican file photo)

CHICOPEE – The City Council has rejected a proposal to ask the state Legislature to increase the number of liquor licenses in the city, putting in question a proposed addition of a sports bar and pub on Memorial Drive.

Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette recommended filing for the request through a home rule petition process after owners of Buffalo Wild Wings submitted plans to add a restaurant in the Chicopee Crossings plaza on Memorial Drive but could not find an available liquor license.

The national chain restaurant is proposing to build a $2 million, 6,000-square-foot sports bar and pub but Frank Colaccino, president of the Colvest Group which is developing Chicopee Crossing, said the company could not find an available liquor license for sale without buying the attached real estate.

The Planning Board had earlier approved the development plans for the restaurant.

Colaccino said Buffalo Wild Wings owners have not decided if they will continue the plans to develop a restaurant following the City Council’s vote, which was 12 against petitioning the state Legislature and one abstention.

The City Council had delayed voting on the issue until it met with the city’s License Commission, which oversees liquor licenses.

“The Liquor Commission agreed they wanted to keep the system in place and they said there are liquor licenses (for sale),” Councilor James K. Tillotson said.

The city currently has 84 liquor licenses, which include those for package stores as well as for restaurants and bars.

A number of owners of restaurants and bars with liquor licenses attended the meeting and protested the idea of lifting the state cap on the number of licenses allowed, Tillotson said.

“We protect the small businesses. These are investments for people,” said Councilor Dino A. Brunetti, who added many owners purchased the licenses and consider it an investment they will see returned if they decide to close their business and sell the license.

The Massachusetts Liquor Control Act limits the number of liquor licenses available to a municipality based on population. Because Chicopee is over its quota, the only way a business can obtain a license is by purchasing it from someone who has one, which can be very expensive.

Officials in several communities, including Easthampton and South Hadley officials have successfully gone through the process and secured new liquor licenses this year.